-LRB- CNN -RRB- Wrapped up in a long brightly-colored scarf , which does little to contain her free-flowing curly hair , Nneka sits back quietly as she tries to bring to mind her very first memory of music .

`` I was a kid , '' the Nigerian singer finally says , her thoughts traveling back to Warri , the Niger Delta city where she grew up .

`` While I was doing my domestic work in the house , sweeping , waking up at 5am in the morning , there was this bird -LSB- singing -RSB- -- and I never forgot the melody , '' she continues , breaking a warm smile . `` Funny wise , like 25 years later I was in Lagos and I heard the same melody -- it was amazing ! ''

Nneka 's first musical recollection might be firmly rooted in her birthplace , but the award-winning singer 's career was destined to begin thousands of miles away from home -- the daughter of a Nigerian father and a German mother , Nneka moved to Hamburg at the age of 19 to study anthropology . Whilst attending university , she also started exploring her musical talents , and soon found herself performing in various clubs opening up for top reggae and hip-hop names .

In 2005 , she released `` Victim of Truth , '' a much-lauded debut that fused soulful beats , tasty hip-hop-and reflective ballads with politically-charged lyrics and black consciousness . Since then , she went on to enjoy further chart success , tour extensively and collaborate with global stars like Lenny Kravitz and Damian Marley .

And now , the soulful singer is back with a brand new , self-released album -- `` My Fairy Tales '' is a formidable collection of rich afrobeat grooves , reggae-tinged beats and uplifting rhythms that reaffirm her place as one of the continent 's most exciting -- and relevant -- artists .

CNN 's African Voices caught up with Nneka in London to talk about music , memories and the current situation in Nigeria -- as well as present her with the questions you sent via the #AskNneka and #CNNAfrica hashtags .

CNN : In the past , you 've dealt with issues ranging from the environment and politics , to religion and love -- what are the themes that you 're emphasizing at this moment ?

Nneka : What is happening in Africa at present concerns me a lot . Boko Haram has always been an issue obviously for the past five , six years -- funny wise , there 's a track in the album called `` Pray For You '' which I recorded when not too many people knew what was going with Boko Haram in the West .

I 'm talking about the problems and possible solutions , and what are the reasons for the problems that we have . We as Nigerians , we 're not united , that has always been the issue ... that 's our problem , tribalism , and what belongs to whom .

I also talk about children and the future , bringing children into this world ... Everyone 's living in a cage and then you bring your child into that kind of society , where your child is forced to live in fear .

People are afraid to express themselves politically , and even in their home -- I remember the way we grew up , I did n't look my father in the eye until I was 22 ; you call your father `` Sir , Sir , Sir '' -- apparently it 's a form of respect , OK , but respect should not be mistaken with fear . I was afraid and that 's the thing , that 's the colonial mentality : we mistake fear for respect .

He -LSB- Goodluck Jonathan -RSB- says he wants to tackle Boko Haram , obviously every Nigerian is asking why now , he could had done it a long time ago ... but I 'm not good at the whole blaming game , I do n't want to blame anybody but I pray that he comes up with a good idea for us if he is an honest and genuine guy . But I know that Fela -LSB- Kuti -RSB- would definitely not be cool with him , Seun -LSB- Kuti -RSB- is not cool with him , and many other musicians who are very outspoken are not cool with him .

CNN : What is the power of music and how can it influence things to bring positive change ?

Nneka : Music is very powerful , music is big ; music is even more powerful than politics at present . Beyonce would definitely draw more crowd than -LSB- Nigerian president -RSB- Goodluck Jonathan if she was going to hold a speech -- if Beyonce is going to talk about Boko Haram , many people are going to listen , and if she had something to tell Nigerians about love or whatever , many people are going to listen .

CNN : How do you see the political and security situation now in Nigeria ?

Nneka : All I can say is that we do need proper leadership . Yes , that 's just easier said than done , but we also need ourselves to take more things into our own hands -- so if we want change , we have to show that we want change , peacefully -- I love Malcolm X but I 'd rather go for Martin Luther -LSB- King -RSB- -- peacefully . And be part of it , not just blame our leaders and making sure that you , yourself , contribute to the change that you want to see .

YOUR QUESTIONS

Nneka : My personal life always inspires me , in the first place , and then I try to expand it to the world . I try not to go too personal so that people can have their own interpretation of the song and also relate to it in their own special way .

Nneka : I like The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran , I like Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe , I like the Bible . Right now I 'm reading The Humans by Matt Haig .

Read ! Just read , educate yourself !

Nneka : The way forward is going to be easier said than done , but tribalism is not they key . What we need is unity and to appreciate each other as Nigerians , as Africans , regardless of tribe and regardless of religion -- imposing your religion on other people is only going to create war and turmoil , there has to be another way .

Nneka : Being on tour for like five months ; I mean you get used to the life , but -LSB- it 's hard -RSB- when you 're coming back home and then realizing that people move on when you 're not around .

Nneka : It is successfully already , that 's why everybody is in it . That 's all I can say to that , it 's flourishing and they know it 's flourishing and that 's why they 're all there -- the Chinese , the Americans , the Europeans and the rest of them .

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Nigerian singer Nneka releases latest album , `` My Fairy Tales ''

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She combines reggae and afrobeat with powerful lyrics tackling politics , love and forgiveness